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Pages: 1 Chris1485 super member Reged: 09/05/06 Loc: U.K. ETX-80 Compatible Hand controller       #5297488 - 07/01/12 08:49 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Hi, I have just bought a very low cost ETX-80 with no hand set. It needed dismantling and some work as I think it had been dropped, but that's another story. Will my hand controller from my ETX-90 work with the 80? My concern is the difference in the voltage. The 80 runs off 9v while the 90 runs off 12v. Does anyone have any experience with using the 90 handset with the 80? Many thanks, Chris. Post Extras:       jgraham Postmaster Reged: 12/02/04 Loc: Dayton, Ohio Re: ETX-80 Compatible Hand controller [Re: Chris1485]       #5297660 - 07/01/12 10:45 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   The short answer is yes, it should be compatible. The longer answer is... which hand controller do you have? Okay, not fair, that's really a question. There are 4 common versions; the EC (no goto), the #494 (goto, but no numeric keypad), the #495 (older version goto with a numeric keypad, can be upgraded to a #497), and the #497. All of these should be compatible with the ETX-80. P.S. The ETX-80 runs fine on 12VDC, in fact it runs a lot better on 12V. Just be double darned sure to get the polarity right! I run all of my Meade scopes using a 12V jumpstart battery in the field, including my ETX-60 and -80. Edited by jgraham (07/01/12 10:48 AM) Post Extras:       Chris1485 super member Reged: 09/05/06 Loc: U.K. Re: ETX-80 Compatible Hand controller [Re: jgraham]       #5297954 - 07/01/12 01:58 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Hi, Thanks for the reply. I have a numeric hand set, but my 90 is about 9 years old. So is probably a 495. I'll give it a go and post the results. Will I need to upgrade to 497? Thanks, Chris. Post Extras:       Chris1485 super member Reged: 09/05/06 Loc: U.K. Re: ETX-80 Compatible Hand controller [Re: Chris1485]       #5297959 - 07/01/12 02:00 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   P.S. Will I have to run on 12v to use the 495 hand set? Post Extras:       Stew57 Carpal Tunnel Reged: 05/03/09 Loc: Silsbee Texas Re: ETX-80 Compatible Hand controller [Re: Chris1485]       #5297989 - 07/01/12 02:20 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   The 495 can be flashed into the same functionality as the 497 You can use the 9v or 12 (better). Just be sure and calibrate and train drives Post Extras:       jgraham Postmaster Reged: 12/02/04 Loc: Dayton, Ohio Re: ETX-80 Compatible Hand controller [Re: Stew57]       #5298270 - 07/01/12 05:32 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   One of my controllers is a #495. Just update the firmware and it becomes a #497. I've got so darned many controllers I have them marked with which scope they go with. There's no harm in switching them, but the calibrations would be wrong. Post Extras:       Chris1485 super member Reged: 09/05/06 Loc: U.K. Re: ETX-80 Compatible Hand controller [Re: jgraham]       #5305492 - 07/06/12 02:18 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Many thanks for your replies. I've finally tried my existing hand set with the new mount. The handset works fine but one of the motors only engages in one direction?? I'll investigate. It shouldn't be a difficult problem to over come. I've also aquired a second mount for spares. Many thanks again, Chris. Post Extras:       Chris Erickson Carpal Tunnel Reged: 05/08/06 Loc: Waikoloa Village, Hawaii Re: ETX-80 Compatible Hand controller [Re: Chris1485]       #5305499 - 07/06/12 02:22 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Quote: Many thanks for your replies. I've finally tried my existing hand set with the new mount. The handset works fine but one of the motors only engages in one direction?? I'll investigate. It shouldn't be a difficult problem to over come. I've also aquired a second mount for spares. Many thanks again, Chris. Sounds like a hand controller with a dirty button contact... Post Extras:       Chris1485 super member Reged: 09/05/06 Loc: U.K. Re: ETX-80 Compatible Hand controller [Re: Chris Erickson]       #5309371 - 07/09/12 07:44 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Sounds like a hand controller with a dirty button contact... I'm not sure what's the problem yet. I can definately hear the motor turning. When I get chance to dismantle it again, I'm sure all will be apparent. Thanks again, chris. Post Extras:       Chris Erickson Carpal Tunnel Reged: 05/08/06 Loc: Waikoloa Village, Hawaii Re: ETX-80 Compatible Hand controller [Re: Chris1485]       #5309764 - 07/09/12 12:52 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Quote: Quote: Sounds like a hand controller with a dirty button contact... I'm not sure what's the problem yet. I can definately hear the motor turning. When I get chance to dismantle it again, I'm sure all will be apparent. Thanks again, chris. Ah. Then that sounds like a slipping clutch or a damaged gearbox. Is the OTA reasonably-balanced when the clutch is unlocked? Is the motor sound smooth or jerky and raspy? Post Extras:       Chris1485 super member Reged: 09/05/06 Loc: U.K. Re: ETX-80 Compatible Hand controller [Re: Chris Erickson]       #5311549 - 07/10/12 03:29 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I think you could be right about a slipping clutch. Even if I tighten the knob quite a bit it can still slip with little force. Also the OTA is front heavy. There is a balancing spring in one of the arms, but this still doesn't stop the ota dropping down with the clutch loosened. I think I need to do some further investigation. Thanks, Chris. Post Extras:       Stew57 Carpal Tunnel Reged: 05/03/09 Loc: Silsbee Texas Re: ETX-80 Compatible Hand controller [Re: Chris1485]       #5312052 - 07/10/12 09:33 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   The balance issue is normal. The clutch really needs to be clean to work. Dirt and/or grease cause slipping. the knob can be broken quite easily if over tightened but can be fixed pretty easy also with a 1/2" pipe nipple and a pipe "T". http://i906.photobucket.com/albums/ac263/mstew57/ETX80/P1020469.jpg Post Extras:       Pages: 1

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